Sleep and Health Journal

This is a reprint of a recent PRlog press release. CPAP can no longer be considered the "Gold Standard" of treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. There is a rapidly changing dynamic in the field of sleep medicine. It should be noted that CPAP and Oral Appliances are equal with "careful titration". It remains to be seen if home sleep studies can meet the "careful titration" standard.

Central Sleep Apnea is often considered a neurologic disorder where the brain forgets to breathe. Central Sleep Apnea can occur when a patient is placed on too high a level of CPAP pressure as well. The CPAP blows off the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which causes the drive to breathe. Breakthru Central Sleep Apneas then occur.

Sleep apnea is a serious life threatening problem that is known to greatly increase risks of heart attacks and strokes. Patients with untreated sleep apnea have up to a six fold increase in motor vehicle accidents, short term memory loss, problems with elevated blood pressure, increased insulin resistance and many other problems.